Bakers' charity faces huge drop in donations

The Bakers' Benevolent Society (BBS) has seen a fall in donations of around 85% during the past 12 years. At its 179th annual general meeting, the registered charity highlighted a drop in appeal income, including donations and fundraising events, from around £200,000 in 2000 to £27,071 this year.

Sue Aley, office manager at the BBS, told British Baker: "Several factors have affected our funding. We have not had a president of appeals in the past few years to fly the flag for us, and more bakery companies are being bought out by larger firms, focused on investing in growth."

BBS provides housing, care and support to retired bakers and allied trades at its Bakers' Villas in Epping, Essex.